Architecture, like art is in the eye of the beholder, and one man's crowning glory can be another's "glass bubble" eyesore.

Two City Council members took those dueling views Wednesday at the final public hearing on a proposed development plan to build a $110 million boutique hotel atop the historic Battery Maritime Building on the eastern tip of Manhattan.

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After testimony from the developers and other supporters at the subcommittee on zoning hearing, the panel's chairman, Councilman Tony Avella (D-Queens), decried the proposed glass-walled hotel as "a monstrosity" that will spoil the Beaux Arts character of the 102-year-old ferry building.

Councilman Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan), who represents lower Manhattan, just as strongly supported the city-backed project, calling it "an integral part" of the city's efforts to reclaim its waterfront.

He said the 135-unit luxury hotel - and the transformation of what was once the passenger waiting room into a communal "Great Hall" - will become "a great destination for the entire city."

He likened it to the glass-vaulted Winter Garden Atrium at the World Financial Center.

Avella shot back that putting "a glass bubble" on top of the last remaining East River ferry building would be mixing architectural forms "that don't match."

He said it would set "a large precedent" for incompatible additions to landmarked buildings.

The upshot was that no vote was taken Wednesday, but Council sources said they expect Avella's opposition will be overruled when his subcommittee meets again Monday.

Approval also is expected from the parent Land Use Committee on Monday, paving the way for full Council approval Wednesday.

After the hearing, Stephen Benjamin, a representative for developer Dermot BMB LLC, said that financing for the project is not "fully set," but that he still expects to begin construction within 12 months.

The hotel will be built atop the southern portion of the building, where the existing roof will be removed.

Benjamin said the hotel will be supported by the building's "existing structural reinforcements."

Ferries to Governors Island would continue to use the building during the two-year construction period.